Comment from Councillor Keith Wakefield ahead of the launch of the latest report from Sir David Higgins

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25

October

2014

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00:00

Europe/London

Comment from Councillor Keith Wakefield ahead of the launch of the latest report from Sir David Higgins

Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council said:

“Tomorrow (Monday 27 October) Sir David Higgins will come to Leeds to launch his second report looking at how high speed rail can rebalance the UK economy.

“The North is in the news again for the right reasons. We showed the World the greatest ever Tour de France Grand Depart and city regions like Leeds and Manchester are delivering real economic growth that benefits the whole of the UK. That good news cannot hide the fact that the North has also taken the greatest strain from public spending cuts - £470m in West Yorkshire and York alone - and the most difficult ones are still to come next year.

“All the main parties are rightly preparing plans to devolve to the North and we are ready to make better use of taxpayers' money by taking on more powers over transport, jobs and housing, as well as running social policy more effectively than Whitehall can.

"Actions speak louder than words, however, and the people of the North will trust those politicians who have taken steps to help them and tackle inequality, rather than promised to do so.”